Prochno: 'It's a lousy year to be a Republican'
Perhaps it was the Obama effect, maybe it was disproportionate campaign resources, or possibly it was an anti-government stance among voters that led Democrat Mark Walker to victory in the 66th District state House race on Wednesday.
Earlier this year, Walker could hardly be called the favorite.
A little-known businessman from Arlington Heights, Walker was to square off against Republican Christine Prochno of Elk Grove Village, who was the candidate to beat in the district.
She had more than a decade of local government experience as an Elk Grove Village trustee and the blessing of state Rep. Carolyn Krause, a former Mount Prospect mayor, who'd announced her retirement from the 66th District after this term.
But Democrats saw an opening with Walker, a business consultant and former Citibank executive. Disenchantment with the Bush administration and enthusiasm over the White House bid of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, who's from Chicago, put Democrats in a position to win in a district that had voted Republican Krause in with ease since 1993.
The race was a close one and late Tuesday, when about one-sixth of the votes remained out, neither camp was willing to claim victory or concede.
Walker Wednesday attributed his win in part to the current political climate. Also, his lack of government experience actually helped him this time around, he said.
"People were looking for a change," Walker said. "I have a business background and bring a different perspective. I'm not in government and I think that was attractive to people."
Prochno, who called Walker early Wednesday to concede, said Walker had outspent her since he had more resources, allowing him to put out more fliers and TV commercials. Also, being a Republican didn't help.
"It's a lousy year to be a Republican," Prochno said.
In unofficial vote totals, Walker received 21,089 votes, or about 52 percent of the total, compared to Prochno's 19,136 votes, or about 48 percent.
Walker's road to Springfield had been quite rocky as the fight for the seat grew nasty at times.
On behalf of Prochno, the Republican party highlighted Walker's previous DUIs that he'd received in 1996. That caused Walker to condemn Prochno, a former school teacher, for allowing the fliers to be published, saying he had been sober since than and calling it a low blow.
But some of Walker's fliers caused a stir as well. Walker's camp put out a piece saying Prochno presided over a deficit budget as Elk Grove Village trustee. That pulled Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson into the fight, with Johnson calling Walker a liar about the village's deficit and threatening legal action.
When Krause announced she was stepping down, her seat became prime political real estate. Given the lack of an incumbent and the political climate, Democrats believed Walker, a self-employed consultant for Walker Information, had a fighting chance.
The traditional Republican stronghold includes parts of Mount Prospect, Arlington Heights, Wheeling Township, Palatine, Schaumburg and Elk Grove Village.